Amaterasu Reiki

Amaterasu is The Great Sun Goddess of Japan, she is the supreme deity of the Shinto religion and is ruler of all the kami, the gods, or, more properly, the forces inherent in nature.

In the mythology of Japan, according to the eighth century Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), in the beginning there was chaos, and yin and yang, the heavens and the earth, the waters and the land were not separated. Heaven formed first, and then earth, and numerous gods were born who remained hidden.

In protest at this great and evil violence, Amaterasu withdrew into a cave and sealed it shut with a giant rock. As a result, the world was plunged into darkness. Without her light and warmth, the gods of rice and all living things began to wither and die.

The royal family of Japan traces its descent from Amaterasu. She sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, to pacify the Japanese islands, having given him the sacred mirror, sword, and jewel (magatama) that became the Imperial Regalia.

His greatgrandson became the first Emperor Jimmu. An important part of each emperor’s coronation ceremony takes place at Amaterasu’s main temple at Ise, which houses the sacred mirror. This mirror is her goshintai, the object into which the Goddess’s spirit enters to be present at ceremonies and to listen to the prayers addressed to her.

It is the rising sun, Amaterasu’s emblem, that appears on Japan’s national flag, and Japanese people used to welcome her each morning with prayer and hand clapping.

Celebrations in her honor as Amaterasu Omikami, ruler of all the kami take place on July17. During this Great Festival of the Sun Goddess, street processions go on all day.

She is also honored on December 21, the winter solstice, in celebration of the rebirth of light…Amaterasu coming out of her cave to once again warm the earth.